Wheelbarrow-reinforcement



- H. J. LUSCHEN.

WHEELBARROW REINFORCEMENT.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. LUSCHEN, OF TOLEDO, OHEIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED STATES MALLE- ABLE IRON (70., OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WHEELBARROW-REINFOROEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 26, 1921.

Application filed March 20, 1920. Serial No. 367,349.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY J. Lusonnn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Toledo, Lucas county, Ohio, have invented new and useful Wheelbarrowlteinforcements, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to reinforcement devices for the nose or bend of wheel embracing frames of wheelbarrows.

This invention has utility when incorporated in connection with pipe frame or handle wheelbarrows, not only as a repair device in instances where the nose or bend has worn or broken, but also as a wear shoe for initial stiffening and protecting the bend against wear.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheelbarrow of the tubular frame foundry type having an embodiment of the invention incorporated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking at the inner or seat side of the reinforcement device of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4L is a transverse section of the reinforcement device; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the reinforcement device in position about the pipe frame portion of a wheelbarrow.

The wheelbarrow is shown as of the allmetal or foundry type having a sheet metal body or tray 1 mounted on diverging portions 2 of a tubular frame having handles 3. Remotely from the handles 3, the tubular or pipe frame has converging portions l extending past bearings 5, for wheel 6. The portions 4, 2, 3, diverge as forked portions from a bend 7 past the wheel 6 from the body 1.

In instances of continued use of such a wheelbarrow as herein shown, and as thus far described, the operator in dumping, nsually runs the wheel 6 forward and lifts the handles 3 to cause the nose or bend 7 to serve as a fulcrum with the wheel 6 lifted free and the load sliding over the wheel 6 out of the tray or body 1. It is usual in this operation for the operator to pull the barrow back from the discharged load before the wheel 6 is in supporting position, in order that the material may all slide out of the body 1. The ramming of the nose 7 into the mass of the pile before unloaded, as well as the dragging back of the barrow on the nose or bend 7, subjects this bend to most rigid service and this is a frequent source of weakening by wear or fracture.

The invention herein has to do with repair or reinforcement, or repair and reinforcement, permitting ready re-claiming of such cast-off barrows, while the device also is of utility as an item of initial equipment.

To this end an integral one-piece self mounting member, preferably of malleable iron casting is provided having an outer curved bumper and wear face 8 as a shoe with an inner channel seat 9 of arc contour to approximate the outer face of the bend 7. Inward from the channel seat 9 a plurality of pairs of lugs 10, 11, are so disposed that when the device is placed in position over the bend .7, these lugs may be readily bent by hammering or pressing into embracing position as bent lugs 12. There is thus pro vided a self-mounting and self anchoring means for the reinforcement, and in the knock-about service for such barrows, there is nothing to come loose, fall apart or get lost. With simple tools, usual about places where the barrows are in use, the device may be applied. The device is substantial in all its features of assembly and use, and when made of cast iron as herein described to be the preferred embodiment, has such a tougness that the wear in use is so small as to result in the device outlasting the rest of the barrow. When the device is of malleable iron, it is not fragile and not liable to fractrue when subjected to the concussions of rough usage.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

The combination with a pipe frame wheelbarrow, said barrow having a wheel, a hopper, and a frame provided with a return bend on the side of the wheel away from the hopper, of a reinforcement member of U-shape, channeled on the inner side to seat about the bend of the frame, said member beingprovided with integral lugs bendable into frame engaging position to mount the member on the outer side of the bend of the frame.

In witness whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY J. LUSCHEN. 

